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racheldoesthings's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Love love loved can’t wait to read the next book in the meantime I will continue look for more mermaid and sirens books
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Death, Genocide, Hate crime, and Death of parent
bookishkellyn's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Saoirse is the last of the sirens living in disguise within a magically fortified kingdom (Keirdre). Her world is turned upside down when she becomes the target of blackmail and her quest to discover the culprit is complicated by Prince Hayes–who’s taken a keen interest in her. I don’t normally read fantasy but really enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced, easy to follow, kept me guessing, and the banter between the characters was entertaining. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Violence and Grief
Minor: Bullying, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Abandonment
itsjadenbaby's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
If I could give this book a 10/5 I would. I enjoyed every second. The characters, the plot, the twists; all written to perfection. I haven’t felt like this after reading in forever. I’m so grateful my library had this visible on a shelf and that I recognized the cover so I could read it right before the second one came out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Blood, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Cancer and War
legalplanner's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I cannot believe I let myself wait out reading this book as long as I did. I was very surprised by the fact that you're finding out about the world as things happen not all at once like an info dump. Burton really gave us world building like if you were along for the ride and not jumping in. I honestly didn't know what to expect but that was so welcomed when diving in.
I found that the creatures being eliminated was heartbreaking to me, Sirens being nearly extinct was wild to me and made me hurt so much for our FMC. She believed that she was a monster because everyone told her she was when in reality she was just trying to survive and protect her family. I found myself wanting answers and never really getting them until I got a little further into the boo each time.
One of the beautiful things of this novel was that the entire cast were of color, including the one off characters. I also loved that there was "inter" species (i.e. fae/human, fae/witch) relationships showing how much love wins. There were also characters who were queer. However, absolutely none of the characters who fell into the latter two areas of representation felt tokenized. The lore was also really well done in this from the creatures used, to the lore of a siren and what makes them tick as a species was very interesting to see.
I'm just so mad that part two doesn't release until August.
I found that the creatures being eliminated was heartbreaking to me, Sirens being nearly extinct was wild to me and made me hurt so much for our FMC. She believed that she was a monster because everyone told her she was when in reality she was just trying to survive and protect her family. I found myself wanting answers and never really getting them until I got a little further into the boo each time.
One of the beautiful things of this novel was that the entire cast were of color, including the one off characters. I also loved that there was "inter" species (i.e. fae/human, fae/witch) relationships showing how much love wins. There were also characters who were queer. However, absolutely none of the characters who fell into the latter two areas of representation felt tokenized. The lore was also really well done in this from the creatures used, to the lore of a siren and what makes them tick as a species was very interesting to see.
I'm just so mad that part two doesn't release until August.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Death of parent
kirstenf's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, and Blood
Minor: Confinement, Racism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
hal00alex's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It is definitely reflective of current media trends, but still a unique take on an fae and sirens. Writer relies more on senses when world building. And it ends in a cliff hanger which my by a metaphor on civil rights? There are certain aspects of the senses that get repeated a lot which may break immersion, but it adds more to the characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Drug use, Death of parent, and Alcohol
lizzie_b99's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Violence, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Sing Me to Sleep is fantasy done right! Complex characters, an immersive world, and writing that makes you feel like you are right there in the pages.
The fantasy and magic elements are so interesting to read. Different species being confined to different areas of the city, and each of them having less and less rights as compared to the fae. The premise of a world that is so insulated and so set on teaching a certain narrative about who deserves to be in power was fantastically well done. There is a lot explored in this book, themes of prejudice, bystanders, and doing what you believe is right, no matter the cost.
Saoirse is so morally grey and such a badass. I really loved how comfortable and confident in herself. She knows how to use her powers and doesn't care what happens. I think she has the highest kill count of any other books that I have read! (In a good way bestie, I promise) Using her beauty and the male gaze to easily hunt and kill is really cathartic. Fantasy books have a way of making fmc's either really pretty and useless, or really badass and uncomfortable in their femininity. Saoirse knows what assets she has, and uses them to her advantage to manipulate, lie, and survive. Her ability to "taste" emotions is one of my favorite powers of hers. Burton excels at writing imagery so vivid it feels like you are "tasting" along with her, and I enjoy that aspect of her writing the most.
Don't go into this book expecting everything to be cut and dry. Saoirse is very morally grey teetering towards the dark sides for many of her actions. I really like how the topics of doing what is needed to protect your loved ones is explored. I feel like we often see bad guys or villains who are trying to justify their end goal, and not oftentime see that from the main character. At the end of the day she has a huge body count, and I like how her actions weren't just easily forgiven.
Hayes is such an interesting character too. He is a really good example of bystanders, and how they are just as guilty of not doing anything. I have my suspicions about where his character is going in the next book. I don't want to spoil anything, but you know what they say about people who talk big but don't act. (Nothing changes!) He is easily smitten in this book, but I am sure after certain events we will get to see him grow up quite a lot.
There is a sweet budding romance, but I am glad it wasn't the central focus of the book. I think the characters all have a lot of growing and coming into themselves to do, and I look forward to seeing how that changes in the sequel.
Also may I just say I love that this is an ALL Black & Brown cast! 100000% want more books like this.
I love this book, PLEASE READ IT! It is such a great fantasy and I can't wait till the sequel comes out to read it!
The fantasy and magic elements are so interesting to read. Different species being confined to different areas of the city, and each of them having less and less rights as compared to the fae. The premise of a world that is so insulated and so set on teaching a certain narrative about who deserves to be in power was fantastically well done. There is a lot explored in this book, themes of prejudice, bystanders, and doing what you believe is right, no matter the cost.
Saoirse is so morally grey and such a badass. I really loved how comfortable and confident in herself. She knows how to use her powers and doesn't care what happens. I think she has the highest kill count of any other books that I have read! (In a good way bestie, I promise) Using her beauty and the male gaze to easily hunt and kill is really cathartic. Fantasy books have a way of making fmc's either really pretty and useless, or really badass and uncomfortable in their femininity. Saoirse knows what assets she has, and uses them to her advantage to manipulate, lie, and survive. Her ability to "taste" emotions is one of my favorite powers of hers. Burton excels at writing imagery so vivid it feels like you are "tasting" along with her, and I enjoy that aspect of her writing the most.
Don't go into this book expecting everything to be cut and dry. Saoirse is very morally grey teetering towards the dark sides for many of her actions. I really like how the topics of doing what is needed to protect your loved ones is explored. I feel like we often see bad guys or villains who are trying to justify their end goal, and not oftentime see that from the main character. At the end of the day she has a huge body count, and I like how her actions weren't just easily forgiven.
Hayes is such an interesting character too. He is a really good example of bystanders, and how they are just as guilty of not doing anything. I have my suspicions about where his character is going in the next book. I don't want to spoil anything, but you know what they say about people who talk big but don't act. (Nothing changes!) He is easily smitten in this book, but I am sure after certain events we will get to see him grow up quite a lot.
There is a sweet budding romance, but I am glad it wasn't the central focus of the book. I think the characters all have a lot of growing and coming into themselves to do, and I look forward to seeing how that changes in the sequel.
Also may I just say I love that this is an ALL Black & Brown cast! 100000% want more books like this.
I love this book, PLEASE READ IT! It is such a great fantasy and I can't wait till the sequel comes out to read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual harassment
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I honestly have mixed feelings about this book. The world created, with the creatures and the way their society was set up, was really interesting and really detailed, actually. Burton did a good job setting that up and showing what was at stake from the beginning.
However, I think this could have been a standalone book, rather than make it into a series. For me, I felt like the story could have been wrapped up at the end of this book. There's a cliffhanger, sort of, at the end of this one that didn't quite feel like it was necessary.
I've read other books with Sirens before, and I also wasn't a huge fan of how they were portrayed in this book. It was like Saoirse was being made to be an anti-hero, but there wasn't enough balance there. There was just something off about it for me.
Overall, there was a lot of potential here, but the story just fell flat for me.
However, I think this could have been a standalone book, rather than make it into a series. For me, I felt like the story could have been wrapped up at the end of this book. There's a cliffhanger, sort of, at the end of this one that didn't quite feel like it was necessary.
I've read other books with Sirens before, and I also wasn't a huge fan of how they were portrayed in this book. It was like Saoirse was being made to be an anti-hero, but there wasn't enough balance there. There was just something off about it for me.
Overall, there was a lot of potential here, but the story just fell flat for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, and Racism
Minor: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
takarakei's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’m having a hard time deciding how I feel about this book. It was a little slow to start but the overall world building was interesting and well done. However, I can’t decide if the main character being morally gray because she is a siren is well developed enough for me to understand why beyond a surface level. Basically it seemed to be to just be like “she’s a siren so she kills people” and that was it, but idk how I feel about that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, and Racism
Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol